With the election results in, Australia Reads is calling on the incoming Government to invest in books and reading, and create a vibrant national reading culture.
Australia Reads warmly congratulates the Labor Government on their re-election.
Alongside our partners from across the books industry, we’re looking forward to continuing to work with Federal Ministers and their Parliamentary colleagues to ensure every Australian has access to the benefits of reading.
A reading nation is a happier, healthier and more connected country.
Returning with an increased majority, the Albanese Government has a powerful opportunity to invest in reading, and ensure that Australia has a vibrant national culture of reading for pleasure.
We welcome the commitment to launching Writing Australia by 1 July 2025, and the next phase of the Revive National Cultural Policy – these are important milestones on the path to creating a reading culture.
As the Government prepares to return to Canberra, we’ll continue to advocate for the policy recommendations set out in the Books Create Australia campaign.
In particular, we’re seeking increased investment in reading through the funding of a national reading strategy. This national approach to recreational reading will:
- Coordinate the strategy to increase reading
- Deliver campaigns that boost reading habits.
- Track the social impact of increased reading.
- Embed reading as a norm across schools and communities
We’re also calling on the incoming government to:
- Guarantee support for libraries: We want to see a mandate for well-resourced school libraries with trained librarians, and support for Australia’s 1700 public libraries to grow their collections.
- Invest in Australian stories and publishers: We want to see investment in the supply chain to ensure that Australian stories are on shelves, in classrooms, and in the hands of readers.
- Support local bookshops: In order to see our local bookstores thrive, we’re calling on the introduction of cultural vouchers for books, as well as rental subsidies and support for live events.
- Fund Australian authors: Our authors need investment to create new works through grants and fellowships, and connect with readers through events, residencies and programs.
- Sustain our literary life: A reading nation needs a thriving literary ecosystem – from festivals and book clubs to literary magazines, agents, writers’ centres, children’s literature organisations, and literacy agencies. We want to see adequate funding for Writing Australia to support this activity, as well as for the organisations themselves to continue – and expand – their work.
Want to get involved?
Many government representatives won’t be aware of the urgent need to invest in books and reading. To engage your local members, invite them to a book launch you’re holding, send them our campaign platform, or ask them to share what they’re reading in their newsletters.
Your can also sign up to the Australia Reads newsletter to stay up to date with our latest advocacy and campaigning work.